Government suspends nationwide school trips as probe begins into deadly Kapchorwa–Mbale road accident

A devastating road accident in eastern Uganda has claimed the lives of at least 24 schoolchildren, following a bus crash involving pupils returning from an excursion.

The victims, all from King David Junior School in Kampala, were travelling back from a trip to the renowned Sipi Falls when the incident occurred along the Kaserem stretch of the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road.

According to the Uganda Police Force, the driver reportedly lost control of the bus, leading to the fatal crash. Emergency responders rushed several injured pupils and accompanying adults to nearby medical facilities, but three more children later died from their injuries, pushing the death toll to 24.

In response to the tragedy, the Ugandan government has announced an indefinite suspension of all school excursions and educational trips across the country. Authorities say a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

President Yoweri Museveni and other top officials have extended their condolences to the families of the victims, as the nation mourns one of the deadliest school-related road accidents in recent times.